going synthetic oil?
- Thread starter kunia
- Start date
superman3043
Senior Member
I think what everyone is saying is it all depends on your habits and local conditions as to whether synthetic makes sense to you or not. Towing, weather, all of this effects your engines differently.
I've run fully synthetics and synthetic blends on vehicles before and really haven't found them beneficial for my particular applications. So it's conventional for me.
Particularly because I'm so anal about keeping my oil changed anyway, that it doesn't make sense to me to pay more for technology that keeps oil from breaking down sooner when I change my oil before conventional oils would even break down. Also, as mentioned before, both pick up contaminants at the same rate, so me personally, I'd rather replace everything with clean parts as often as I need to. Just cause your oil takes a long time to break down, doesn't mean your filter doesn't need to be changed. That's why I'd rather do both on a regular schedule. I've got over a 153K and the color of my oil still looks great no matter how many miles I've got on that particular batch of oil.
But you can't go wrong with switching either.
I've run fully synthetics and synthetic blends on vehicles before and really haven't found them beneficial for my particular applications. So it's conventional for me.
Particularly because I'm so anal about keeping my oil changed anyway, that it doesn't make sense to me to pay more for technology that keeps oil from breaking down sooner when I change my oil before conventional oils would even break down. Also, as mentioned before, both pick up contaminants at the same rate, so me personally, I'd rather replace everything with clean parts as often as I need to. Just cause your oil takes a long time to break down, doesn't mean your filter doesn't need to be changed. That's why I'd rather do both on a regular schedule. I've got over a 153K and the color of my oil still looks great no matter how many miles I've got on that particular batch of oil.
But you can't go wrong with switching either.
Last edited:
Druss
New member
I recently changed over to wal-mart 5w-30 synthetic in my runner (may be made by Pennzoil based on MSDS at Material Safety Data Sheets) and their highest price Bosch filter.
I plan on going about 7,500 miles between changes and this is because we currently have four vehicles and soon to have five and I am tired of all ways being under one of them changing oil.
I could swear at first start up it was smoother and more quiet like my zero turn mower was after I switched it over a couple years ago to PP.
I also recently have switched the wife's van over to QS full synthetic and it felt the same...more quite and smoother along with a Napa gold filter that seemed to be of great quality and made by wix.
I plan on going about 7,500 miles between changes and this is because we currently have four vehicles and soon to have five and I am tired of all ways being under one of them changing oil.
I could swear at first start up it was smoother and more quiet like my zero turn mower was after I switched it over a couple years ago to PP.
I also recently have switched the wife's van over to QS full synthetic and it felt the same...more quite and smoother along with a Napa gold filter that seemed to be of great quality and made by wix.
stanleybb50
New member
Synister
Member
Everyone has a favorite brand and grade of oil, just like everyone has a favorite football beer. Bud Light, Bud heavy...Mobil 1, Conventional...really, if you change your oil/filter 5k or less its a moot point, the oil analysis prove this time and time again. I change at this exact interval and drink Keystone Light...just so I can afford to put Pennzoil Platinum in my truck. Not really but it proves a point...at roughly $10-$14 difference per 5 quart jug at walmart between conventional and synthetic, were really only talking about a case of beer every 5k miles...Ive bought friends a beer for less than 5k miles of flawless service. Synthetic for me regardless.
Supra725
New member
I'm almost at 60K miles with Mobil 1 and haven't had any issues.... I used to run Castrol in my rig... I remember used to paying for less than $10 dollars for an 5 quart jug at wally world... but now, is almost $18 dollars..
The family cars are also on Mobil 1... and with the pricing they have at Costco... is hard to beat... I just paid $26 dollars for 6 quarts of 5w30.. and with filter... I'm at an little over $30 dollars for an full synthetic oil change... dealer can't even come close... the car wash around the corner from my house wants $80 for full synthetic.. why not do it yourself?
at 1 point, target was selling Mobil 1 5w30 and 10w30 for $1.97 an quart.. needless to say, I cleared them of what they had on the racks and whatever they had in the back..
The family cars are also on Mobil 1... and with the pricing they have at Costco... is hard to beat... I just paid $26 dollars for 6 quarts of 5w30.. and with filter... I'm at an little over $30 dollars for an full synthetic oil change... dealer can't even come close... the car wash around the corner from my house wants $80 for full synthetic.. why not do it yourself?
at 1 point, target was selling Mobil 1 5w30 and 10w30 for $1.97 an quart.. needless to say, I cleared them of what they had on the racks and whatever they had in the back..
BOSMECH
Member
What if you get your oil for free and filter also.
I have used synthetic in my BMW and Camaro and changed every 3000 miles always.
So now I still change every 3000 but for free using Castrol and a Wix filter, in fact just did my first oil change on it and it is the easiest vehical I have ever done.
I have used synthetic in my BMW and Camaro and changed every 3000 miles always.
So now I still change every 3000 but for free using Castrol and a Wix filter, in fact just did my first oil change on it and it is the easiest vehical I have ever done.
Supra725
New member
G.I.G.
New member
I've been using Mobil1 5W-30 on my '07 V8 4Runner since the first oil change. I have almost 70k miles on my 4R now and it still runs like a champ.
As others have mentioned, better late than never. The fact is synthetic oil is safe to use in any application where conventional motor oil is used. The concern about seepage when changing over to synthetic with high mileage is a bit of a myth. It is true that if you have seals or gaskets that are starting to go, thicker oil can prolong the avoidance of leak but from my understanding, it has nothing to do with whether it is conventional or synthetic oil. If you plan on keeping the car for a while (and it sounds like you will), a few extra bucks is cheap insurance.
FWIW, I also run Mobil1 in my gear boxes. That's worth considering too.
As others have mentioned, better late than never. The fact is synthetic oil is safe to use in any application where conventional motor oil is used. The concern about seepage when changing over to synthetic with high mileage is a bit of a myth. It is true that if you have seals or gaskets that are starting to go, thicker oil can prolong the avoidance of leak but from my understanding, it has nothing to do with whether it is conventional or synthetic oil. If you plan on keeping the car for a while (and it sounds like you will), a few extra bucks is cheap insurance.
FWIW, I also run Mobil1 in my gear boxes. That's worth considering too.
I tried it in my 2005 4runner with 150,000 miles.
I got leaks the following day. I switched back to the dino and no leaks on the garage floor.
I change my oil every 5000 miles - again with brand name dino and don't worry about it.
firebirdguy
Member
digging up an 8 year old thread to reply to an 8 year old comment??
you forgot to mention you use 10/40 oil too...
you forgot to mention you use 10/40 oil too...
